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The Deadwood Bible: A Lie Agreed Upon
The definitive history of the HBO series DEADWOOD.
511 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2022
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287 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 5, 2022
If you were an ardent fan of the HBO series DEADWOOD, The Deadwood Bible: A Lie Agreed Upon will evoke fond memories of the frontier drama while revealing the creative boons and complications that made it happen. If you don't know the show and read this book, you'll wonder how the series got made, let alone three seasons and a feature film coda. I strongly suggest watching the series first to understand this book's reason for being as enjoyably required reading for DEADWOOD viewers.
The thesis of A Lie Agreed Upon is that DEADWOOD's creator/head writer, David Milch, is a complex man and artist throughout his life and career. Milch endured a troubled childhood and eventually writing became both his way out his past and an enduring attempt to exorcize his personal demons by replaying them through his characters again and again. His life story and the gauntlet of making DEADWOOD are dramas intertwined that forged one of the most memorable television series ever shown. Milch often fell in love with his characters, as did his audiences, and at times a detriment to his own work -- a contradiction that spanned his personal and professional experience.
A Lie Agreed Upon is divided into examinations of biography, career triumphs and let downs, the DEADWOOD production years, and Milch's life after the series. Each of these are told through the research by Seitz, his collaborators, plus interviews with Milch's family, and actors, producers and friends who worked and lived with Milch though these turbulent decades. Ultimately, their consensus forms around Milch being a difficult person to like at many times, yet one who earned respect and loyalty from nearly all who knew him -- underscored by the unyielding devotion of many DEADWOOD alumni contributing to this publication long after the series abruptly ended its run.
While those contributors are not spinning lies about the man and his work, the compilation and cross-reference of these witnesses' testimonies assemble to form a rewarding story of Milch's unique talents and foibles. Much like how DEADWOOD told the complex, seemingly fractured story of a ragged mining town though an equally rough vocabulary blending curse words and prose poetry. Rough rides through unrefined, beautiful lands.
DEADWOOD remains as dramatically poignant, challenging and aspirational as it was from 2004 to 2006, and the 2019 TV movie coda to its story provided some closure to its deserving, faithful congregation of viewers. The Deadwood Bible: A Lie Agreed Upon offers a similar service to the DEADWOOD community, chapter and verse as it welcomes you back to the fold once again. We shall now read from the book of Milch...
The thesis of A Lie Agreed Upon is that DEADWOOD's creator/head writer, David Milch, is a complex man and artist throughout his life and career. Milch endured a troubled childhood and eventually writing became both his way out his past and an enduring attempt to exorcize his personal demons by replaying them through his characters again and again. His life story and the gauntlet of making DEADWOOD are dramas intertwined that forged one of the most memorable television series ever shown. Milch often fell in love with his characters, as did his audiences, and at times a detriment to his own work -- a contradiction that spanned his personal and professional experience.
A Lie Agreed Upon is divided into examinations of biography, career triumphs and let downs, the DEADWOOD production years, and Milch's life after the series. Each of these are told through the research by Seitz, his collaborators, plus interviews with Milch's family, and actors, producers and friends who worked and lived with Milch though these turbulent decades. Ultimately, their consensus forms around Milch being a difficult person to like at many times, yet one who earned respect and loyalty from nearly all who knew him -- underscored by the unyielding devotion of many DEADWOOD alumni contributing to this publication long after the series abruptly ended its run.
While those contributors are not spinning lies about the man and his work, the compilation and cross-reference of these witnesses' testimonies assemble to form a rewarding story of Milch's unique talents and foibles. Much like how DEADWOOD told the complex, seemingly fractured story of a ragged mining town though an equally rough vocabulary blending curse words and prose poetry. Rough rides through unrefined, beautiful lands.
DEADWOOD remains as dramatically poignant, challenging and aspirational as it was from 2004 to 2006, and the 2019 TV movie coda to its story provided some closure to its deserving, faithful congregation of viewers. The Deadwood Bible: A Lie Agreed Upon offers a similar service to the DEADWOOD community, chapter and verse as it welcomes you back to the fold once again. We shall now read from the book of Milch...
January 23, 2024
Read this out loud to my dad, one Friday afternoon at a time. This is like a super director's cut of the Deadwood series, and clearly a labor of love. I had a blast.
August 13, 2022
An incredible work, not just about the show but about David Milch. The book is part biography and part in depth look at Deadwood. There are so much more than recaps of each episode. There is information about casting, researching the time period and the people of the camp. The actors of the show describe what it was like working on the show and what a blow it was that it didn't return for a 4th season. The latter part of the book recaps John From Cincinnati and Luck. Both David Milch shows that were canceled after one season. It also talks about the Deadwood movie. It is a must read for any Deadwood fan.
September 4, 2023
A wonderful history of my favorite show that is even more moving as a biography of its creator, David Milch. Through the details of his life and the lens of his creative endeavors, Seitz, his collaborators and the many Milch associates interviewed for the book attempt to illuminate a complicated, damaged man who managed to hold onto his faith in humanity and translate that faith into storytelling, despite (and perhaps because of) all of his difficult experiences.
July 19, 2022
One of the best books about TV out there.
Read
July 3, 2025❤️
March 5, 2025
"Deadwood" ran on HBO from 2004 to 2006 for a total of 36 episodes. Some would say it first appeared right in the middle of what I'd consider HBO's golden years. "The Sopranos", "Rome", "Carnivale", "The Wire" are among some of the shows running during that period.
Like "Rome" and "Carnivale" it was cancelled too soon, partly due to how expensive it was to produce, partly because HBO weren't actually making any money on it and partly because creator David Milch's interest seemed to begin to wane. There's an entire section on the book that covers off the various opinions on how and why the show was cancelled, there doesn't appear to be a single consensus among those involved.
It's impossible to really tell the story of "Deadwood" TV series and subsequent film released in 2019 without also focusing on the life and career of creator David Milch. He is a complicated man, a unique writer, a gambler, a former drug addict, an abuse survivor, a man who seems honest with his past. Knowing more about Milch definitely helps give a more well rounded picture of why this show became so special to so many people.
Matt Zoller Seitz has collated an incredibly in depth exploration of Milch and his most famous creation. The book is divided into five sections. Introductions; an overview of Milch's life and career leading up to Deadwood; essays on Deadwood; Recaps of every episode of "Deadwood", as well as subsequent Milch shows "John From Cincinnati", "Luck" and "The Deadwood Movie"; credits.
The hardcover book itself even looks like a bible from the golden title to the layout inside, it's really beautiful and perfectly fitting for a show that so heavily featured religious beliefs in one form or another.
I cannot recommend this enough to fans Deadwood.
Like "Rome" and "Carnivale" it was cancelled too soon, partly due to how expensive it was to produce, partly because HBO weren't actually making any money on it and partly because creator David Milch's interest seemed to begin to wane. There's an entire section on the book that covers off the various opinions on how and why the show was cancelled, there doesn't appear to be a single consensus among those involved.
It's impossible to really tell the story of "Deadwood" TV series and subsequent film released in 2019 without also focusing on the life and career of creator David Milch. He is a complicated man, a unique writer, a gambler, a former drug addict, an abuse survivor, a man who seems honest with his past. Knowing more about Milch definitely helps give a more well rounded picture of why this show became so special to so many people.
Matt Zoller Seitz has collated an incredibly in depth exploration of Milch and his most famous creation. The book is divided into five sections. Introductions; an overview of Milch's life and career leading up to Deadwood; essays on Deadwood; Recaps of every episode of "Deadwood", as well as subsequent Milch shows "John From Cincinnati", "Luck" and "The Deadwood Movie"; credits.
The hardcover book itself even looks like a bible from the golden title to the layout inside, it's really beautiful and perfectly fitting for a show that so heavily featured religious beliefs in one form or another.
I cannot recommend this enough to fans Deadwood.
November 24, 2024
Behold a sprawling tome brimming with tales both disquieting and redemptive. MZS expands his established TV recap format (from The Sopranos Session and Mad Men Carousel) to include a detailed oral history on David Milch’s personal/creative life. Seitz (and his impressive team of contributors) exceed a simple retelling and instead have crafted a touching tribute to one of the greatest fuckin shows ever made. No stone is unturned or story ignored as Seitz highlights every aspect of its development from HBO executives to animal wranglers. Recaps even include the often ignored John From Cincinnati and Luck, which I finally have motivation to watch.
If you previously finished a trip through Milch’s Black Hills and need an excuse to return, look no further.
Read it and weep, cocksuckers!
If you previously finished a trip through Milch’s Black Hills and need an excuse to return, look no further.
Read it and weep, cocksuckers!
December 24, 2025
“Favorite show” joins the ranks of laws and sausages. Matt Zoller Seitz does a good job of writing and otherwise assembling a tome that sheds light on the niche popular HBO show Deadwood. As I’m much less interested in show runner David Milch than I am in his creation, I would have skipped large parts of the book that are devoted to him. Some of it is illuminating, while other parts put the “too much” in TMI. Which is also true for a chunk of the non-Milch material. Those who watch the show along with reading the book will notice errors in the text, though none of them are serious enough to invalidate the authors’ points. I admit that I’d prefer to enjoy the series rather than study it, but I still think fans will find the experience rewarding overall.
August 21, 2023
Can a book about a TV show move one to tears? Well, this one did. “The Deadwood Bible” is essential reading for any fan of “Deadwood” and of its creator, David Milch. Its lead author, Matt Zoller Seitz, is one of our greatest living TV and film critics and an unabashed fan of the show and Milch. That said, he never fails to examine both with a critical eye, surfacing their flaws in equal measure to their virtues. The book is an elegy of sorts for Mitch, who now lives with Alzheimer’s, and Zoller Seitz bestows on his subject the grace and dignity that the disease so often robs from its victims. And if you’ve never seen “Deadwood,” well, what are you waiting for?
July 20, 2022
An indispensable compilation of interviews, analysis and production history of HBO's Deadwood, my personal favorite show that for me is so much more than just a show. From the opening pages Seitz makes it clear that this work is near and dear to his heart, and proceeds through not only his voice but the contributions of most of the integral cast and crew to explain the mission statement and forging of Milch's meditation on spirituality, community, and America. This book is beautifully constructed and as essential a companion to the show as Milch's own "Stories of the Black Hills."
January 15, 2023
The ultimate companion for the ultimate TV show. Matt Z-S has created the perfect tome for fans not only of the incredible show Deadwood, but also of TV writing and production in general. In both content and execution, this book is perfectly toned... Charming funny in depth and in some places surprising.
Just make sure when you read it, you break out the canned peaches and unauthorized cinnamon... It's that good.
Just make sure when you read it, you break out the canned peaches and unauthorized cinnamon... It's that good.
January 23, 2023
I’ve watched the series from start to finish at least three times, and reading this book makes me want to grab a bottle of whiskey and visit Deadwood again. Wonderfully organized, and the insights to David Mulch’s life and background went deeper than I’d previously known and gives me even more appreciation (and pity) for the man. For any hooplehead Deadwood fan, or Milch fan for that matter, this book is a must for your library.
October 6, 2023
Such a fantastic book that made me appreciate David Milch and the shows he created and ran all the more. I’m impressed at how many people Seitz interviewed for this book, and how it never pulled punches. The guest essays were a treat, and I enjoyed following with the “scriptures” as I rewatched Deadwood and Luck, and watched John from Cincinnati for the first time.
Oh, and the book itself is so beautiful.
Oh, and the book itself is so beautiful.
August 9, 2024
A thoroughly engaging dive into the world of Deadwood and David Milch. I think any Deadwood fan will love this book, but even moreso if you're interested in David Milch as well (which I imagine most Deadwood fans are). It's part Milch biography, part episode and series analysis, and another part behind-the-scenes oral history.
I appreciated Zoller Seitz's engaging writing and succinct sections. Made it easy to read whether I had a short span of time or a whole evening.
I appreciated Zoller Seitz's engaging writing and succinct sections. Made it easy to read whether I had a short span of time or a whole evening.
September 16, 2022
The time and effort to produce this book can be felt on every page. There are many amusing anecdotes but some of the memories from the actors, and the reverence they have for Mr. Milch will move you. It is a privilege to get this close to a couple of very special things: Deadwood, the show and David Milch, the person.
November 30, 2022
Great fun to read along while re-watching the series. Provides a fun, interesting new perspective on plots, characters, and the use of language, while learning tons of Milch facts and myths. A bit long and untidily repetitive on certain fronts, but nothing major that hurts the experience. Thankful I backed the Kickstarter!
April 26, 2023
A well-written companion to Deadwood, Matt Zoller Seitz has deep insight into the material, and his reflections are always clarifying and well-founded. I wish it was he who had written about "John from Cincinatti" also, that is the weakest part of the book. It is very interesting to gain more insight into David Milch's life and work. Recommended for all fans of good TV and of Deadwood in special.
August 27, 2023
Deadwood is my favorite-ever tv show, and this book - mostly a history of creator David Milch and the chaotic process of bringing the show together - is more than Hollywood gossip: It is tender and humane and also clear-eyed about the damage we do to each other. It is Art about art.
January 19, 2023
4.5 stars, an invaluable resource for fans of the show.
April 3, 2023
Great oral history of Deadwood and a well rounded perspective on Milch
July 16, 2023
If you’re a fan of Deadwood or David Milch, this is an essential book.
April 11, 2023
A must-read for any Deadwood fan; not just episode recaps but a detailed look at the life and times of the brilliant and complex David Milch.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews